UW-Platteville to host ambassador

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Dr. Marie Barnett

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will host Dr. Marie Barnett, Sierra Leone ambassador to the Republic of Liberia in Africa, Monday through Thursday, March 18-21. Barnett’s visit is being sponsored by the UW-Platteville Patricia A. Doyle Women’s Center.

“This experience is in direct correlation to the university's strategic plan of exposing our students to a global perspective,” said Dr. Patricia Foster, director of the Patricia A. Doyle Women’s Center.

While on campus, Barnett will visit a variety of classes and discuss various topics such as her role as ambassador, ethics, culture, human relations and politics.

A reception will be held March 20 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Platteville East and West rooms in the Markee Pioneer Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Barnett, a native of Sierra Leone, Africa, earned a master’s in divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1994. While there, she founded the International Students Self Help Group, inaugurated the yearly fund-raising International Dinner and participated in the planning and opening of a food pantry for underprivileged students and their families. Barnett also co-authored an international cookbook.

During the 1992 racial uprising in Dubuque, Barnett participated in the peace negotiations.

Barnett worked in civil service in Africa for several years during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1996, she was elected to the parliament in Sierra Leone where she served on several committees. As a member of parliament, Barnett pioneered the establishment of the National AIDS Secretariate, was the only female member of the drafting committee for the Lome Peace Accord, which brought lasting peace to Sierra Leone in 2002, and set up a network of women ministers and parliamentarians.

Barnett was named ambassador to the Republic of Liberia in 2008. She has toured the world providing speaking engagements and lectures about women, peace, security, reconciliation and empowerment.

Liberia is located in west Africa and is home to more than 3.5 million people.